1825.] 
with black-letter erudition and ancient 
records, would take upon themselves 
to illustraté this question, by quotations 
(if any'sdch tan‘ be'met with) from ob- 
solete records and authentic archives. 
In the mean time, T have no difficulty in 
‘re“asserting my position, that the Leo- 
pard Was our ancient bearing : although 
Tam’ but .- A Tyro in Heraxoics. 
© Fuly, 201h, 1825. 
——— a 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
Mecuanics’ InstrrurTEs. 
[Though our correspondent has assumed 
+ the’ editorial tone, and it is our wish to 
. preserve the line of discrimination distinct 
between what we are editorially respon- 
sible for, and what we only give currency 
.- to as the sentiments, statements and 
opinions of others; yet, in the present 
_ instance, we do not think it necessary 
* either to alter the pronoun, or require a 
‘ signature. We have no objection to being 
‘considered as adopting, in this case, what 
we had not the merit of originating. ] 
A LETTER has appeared in some 
1% of the papers, which was written 
a short time since, by Mr. Huskisson, 
to.a gentleman at Liverpool, concerning 
the objects of these institutions, which 
appears to us to demand some notice. 
In this letter Mr. Huskisson says, 
- “Y¥ have no difficulty in stating, that I 
consider institutions of this nature as likely 
to be attended with beneficial results, both 
to artizans and to the public, if properly 
regulated, and directed to those objects to 
which such institutions ought, in my opi- 
nion, to be limited ; I mean, to the teach- 
ing ofsuch branches of science as will be 
of-uSe to mechanics and artizans in the 
exercise of their respective trades.” 
_.Now, how, much soever .we may be 
‘disposed to applaud. such institutions, 
for, directing their efforts to the im- 
provement of, such branches of science 
-a3, will be of use to mechanics and arti- 
zans in the exercise of their respective 
trades, Mr. Huskisson must pardon us 
for ‘saying, that unless, at the same 
time, the means shall be applied for 
enlarging and _ perfecting, or, at least, 
“improving the human character by the 
“introduction of general knowledge, so 
r ftom these institutions . being a 
‘benefit, they will, most probably, be a 
_ciitse to o society in which they are 
established: for, by Mr. Huskisson’s 
limitation, they must inevitably tend to 
‘sepatate mankind into more distinct 
- castes atid classes, and render those so 
separated ‘less ble to perform ‘their 
“dities as ‘titizens, aid as members of 
-'the' ‘body ‘politic: Thanks, however, to 
> Mechanics’ Institutes. + 
“49 
the spirit which is abroad, the recom- 
mendation of the President of the Board 
of Trade is not very likely to be impli- 
citly followed: for we find, in the esta- 
blishment of. the Mechanics and ‘Ap- 
prentices. Library at Liverpool, more 
liberal notions have prevailed. 
“The books chiefly desirable are those 
on science and mechanics, history, biogra~ 
phy, voyages and travels, elementary works, 
polite literature, and moral and religious 
pieces. Controversial divinity and party 
politics are expressly excluded; but stan- 
dard works on religion, sermons or essays, 
and approved writings on political economy 
and legislation, not bearing this character, 
are admissible. But extravagant romances, 
and novels calculated to vitiate the minds 
of youth, are rejected. If any works of 
fancy be admitted, the committee will be 
especially vigilant that they shall not be 
injurious to the mind.” / 
Now, even here, would be cautio 
and exclusiveness enough. “But, no: 
our worthy President does not, it seems, 
desire the general melioration and en- 
largement of the understanding of the 
mechanic population by means of such 
institutions ; they should be limited to 
the mere instruction and improvement 
of each particular craft. And this is 
the doctrine of a British statesman in 
the nineteenth century! O ye halcyon 
days of Galileo, when will ye return? 
We confess that we are not a little 
surprised and grieved at this declaration 
of Mr. Huskisson. : We had hoped that 
the reign of exclusion and of select 
interests approached its downfall: but, 
alas! we are wofully disappointed. We 
had, indeed, given the President of the 
Board of Trade credit for more libera- 
lity than he is willing to accept; we had 
indeed hoped, that, with a more enlarged 
foreign policy, our domestic policy 
would share the same renovating and 
stimulating excitement. But, somehow 
or another, it does unfortunately hap- 
pen, with budding promises on one 
hand, on the other is held up something 
to dash them to the earth. The mem- 
bers of the present ministry take. occa- 
sional opportunities to blast, or to.con- 
found many of our most pleasing antici- 
pations; they seem determined to un- 
deceive us, and to set bounds to our 
commendation; they seem determined 
to tell us that they are not the liberal 
men we supposed them to be; and that, 
in our exultation at their freedom from 
prejudice. and. from fetters, they will 
still, occasionally bold up their hands, 
“and rejoice in their suanacles anciheic 
bonds. 
D 2 
